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Archive for March, 2010

the Bible in 73 days

Mar 30, 2010

It was his first time ever reading the Bible. I only know this because the first time we got together he apologized for it. (Seriously.) But he was going to “try and keep up with us.” You know – us. The “us” who have been doing this church-going, Bible-reading thing for a long time. The “us” who already know everything. The “us” who are more spiritual.

Yea…right.

Each week, he was getting a little further ahead of the rest of “us.” An hour here, an hour there. A chapter or two ahead. Then a book or two ahead.

Then came last Thursday. All done. Truly. The whole thing. Genesis to Revelation in 73 days. We were “supposed” to read it in 121 days. (Guess I’ll have to make him sit in a corner and think about what he’s done.) And he loved it. Can’t stop talking about it.

In fact, he’s already purchased a study Bible (don’t think the $3 paperback he borrowed from church is going to hold up). He’s already read Revelation again. Now he’s going to soak in the Gospels and Acts for a month.

Color me inspired. Oh…and one of “us” finished last Friday. And another will finish this week. Can’t believe I’m on pace to finish in just over three months (instead of four) and I’m pulling up the rear. Guess I better stop typing and start reading…

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Tags: bible, BRT, faith, Inspiring, joy
Categories: bible, Bible Read Thru, Inspiring

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help me write my new book

Mar 26, 2010

There is one question I hear more than any other after a parent, children’s pastor, or youth pastor takes my workshop or reads my book Falling in Love with God’s Word :

How can I help my kids/students fall in love with God’s Word?

As a parent and former youth pastor – and former kid for that matter! – I understand the need to have that question answered. I am constantly thinking and having conversations about how to help the next generation fall in love with God’s Word. I have devoted 2010 to taking the principles I teach in Falling in Love with God’s Word and writing a book specifically for parents, children’s pastors, and youth pastors.

But I need your help! Would you take a couple minutes and share your thoughts, ideas, and stories about how you’ve seen – or helped – the next generation read, enjoy, engage with, and fall in love with God’s Word? I want to include lots of practical help – not just theory! Simply click this link and fill out the form. And if I use your idea or story in my book, I will send you a free copy!

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Tags: bible, Books, kids
Categories: Books, kids, web

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the leadership strategy of Jesus

Mar 24, 2010

This is actually an except from a blog post by Michael Hyatt – one of the few bloggers who I read everything they write. To read the full article, click here.

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So much of the activity I see among leaders today is focused on reaching the masses. “Successful leaders” speak at big conferences, host popular television or radio shows, publish bestselling books, or write successful blogs. Their goal is breadth. They want to extend their influence to as many people as possible.

Jesus had a much different leadership strategy. His goal was not “reach” or popularity. In fact, as strange as it sounds today, he actively discouraged publicity. On more than one occasion, after performing a jaw-dropping miracle, he told those who witnessed it, “Tell no one what you have seen” (see e.g., Matthew 8:4; 16:20; 17:9; Mark 7:36; 8:30; 9:9; Luke 5:14; and 8:56). He was a publicist’s nightmare.

Instead, Jesus focused on true depth and long-term impact. To achieve this, he had a four-pronged leadership strategy:

Read about the four-pronged strategy here then let me know what you think? How are you leading?

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Tags: jesus, Leadership, michael hyatt
Categories: jesus, Leadership

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14 years…and counting

Mar 23, 2010

Found this quote from Amy Bloom and put it on the inside of the card I gave Kari Beth this morning.

“Love at first sight is easy to understand; it’s when two people have been looking at each other for a lifetime that it becomes a miracle.”

So true. Cool thing is that Kari and I fell in love right away AND we’re still “looking at each other.” (As you can see from the pic – I’ve got the better view.)

Gotta say it’s a miracle for a lot of reasons. It’s a miracle that in a day and age that doesn’t honor sticking it out – we’re still together. A miracle because after all this time we actually like each other as much as we love each other. A miracle because we still recognize the ways we can get stronger…and are striving to do just that. A miracle because having three wild and crazy kids has made us love and appreciate each other even more.

Hasn’t always been easy. But God has always been present. Always been merciful. Always guided. Always protected. Always kept us “looking” – at Him and at each other.

I love you Kari Beth. Happy 14th Anniversary!

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Tags: Family, kari, Love, Marriage
Categories: Family, Life, Love, Marriage

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silence – golden…and wise.

Mar 18, 2010

Lying in bed last night I came across this verse in Proverbs 13;

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

As an admitted talkaholic, this one hit me square in the…well…mouth. I think I know the truth of this. I just don’t practice it nearly as much as I should. I am trying though.

In fact, I’ve tried something recently when heading into group meetings or discussions. One of the first things I do is look at the clock and make a commitment to not speak for the first 10 minutes. Not a word. Not a question. Not a remark. Nothing. Unless, of course, someone actually asks me a question. (No sense being rude.)

Amazing how much I learn when I just shut up and listen. Amazing how much trouble I can get into when I open my mouth. Especially when no actual thought has gone into what I’m going to say.

Once heard someone say, “God gave you two ears and one mouth. Catch the hint.”

Ouch.

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Day 68 – into the New Testament

Mar 12, 2010

Sat down on my couch shortly after 6am. Hot coffee in my right hand. Bible on my lap. The title across the top of the book I was getting ready to start…Matthew. Ah Matthew. The New Testament. Jesus is in the house. Yea, yea, I know He’s present in the Old Testament too. But to see His name. To read His words. To relive conversations He had, people He touched, roads He walked.

After a two-month journey, I feel like I have arrived at the place I was made for. Don’t get me wrong. I have thoroughly enjoyed my two months in the Old Testament. I have seen the love, compassion, and heart of God for the people He created as clearly as I have ever seen it before. There is an abundance of grace and mercy in the Old Testament.

But now there’s Jesus. There is the realization by some fisherman, tax collectors, and regular Joes that following Jesus is more valuable than…well…anything. There is the passionate pursuit of Him by people who know that they will only find wellness and wholeness in the person of Jesus. There is Jesus’ call to be, do, and live more than we would ever call ourselves to. There is faith. There is hope. There is love.

There is Jesus. Here is Jesus. Today is a very, very good day.

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Tags: bible, BRT, jesus, joy
Categories: bible, Bible Read Thru, jesus

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one inspiring lunch

Mar 9, 2010

I just got back from having lunch with one amazing guy. His name is Ron Frost. He used to be a professor at Multnomah University in Portland, OR and now blogs and serves missionaries through Barnabas International. Someone who took my workshop last fall introduced me to him via email. He’s the guy who introduced me to the concept of a fast Bible Read Thru.

An article he wrote was the tool God used to spur me on to do the 4-month Bible Read Thru that you’ve seen me write about. What an honor to share a meal and a couple hours with him today.

Ron was 18 when he met a guy named Sam who had read the Bible 2-3 times every year for 50 years! Ron was both blown away and inspired – and has now done the same thing every year since 1964! Fantastic.

To hear his passion, joy and heart for the Author of the Living Word was contagious. We spoke a little of methodology. We spoke a lot of God’s love and His “personality” that we hadn’t seen until we started reading the Bible like a novel – quickly, and with expectation.

I could see the joy on Ron’s face as I told him about the guys from my church I am meeting with every Tuesday morning. In fact, today marks the “halfway point” in our 4-month journey. As we talked this morning, we realized that every one of us is on pace to finish way ahead of time. In fact, two guys are already into the New Testament! And one of those guys had never read the Bible before January – and he’s loving it!

Thanks Ron – for letting God use you to help me (and many others) fall more deeply in love with the Word and it’s Author. (And thanks for the fish tacos.)

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Tags: bible, BRT, conversations, Inspiring, lunch, ron frost
Categories: bible, Bible Read Thru

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when TYMK was born

Mar 7, 2010

Fourteen years ago today. It was the first Sunday in March, 1996. Boy, was I nervous. I was about to step on the platform at North Seattle Covenant Church and “present” the Gospel of John for the first time. The whole thing. Almost two hours alone on stage.

I had done John a hundred times on that stage before. But that was rehearsal. The only person watching was my director – Terry Edward Moore. This was different. This time there were 150 pairs of eyes who would witness what was about to happen. Most were friends and family. Some were curious members of the host church. None of us – including me – really knew what to expect.

Then came the moment of truth. I stepped on stage and sat on the lonely stool. Nothing else on the stage. Just that stool and me. My eyes scanned the room. The eyes looking back at me were both excited and nervous for me. And then I opened my mouth.

In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word was God.

Much of the next two hours was a blur. There were times of silence and times of laughter. There was even one 10-second brain freeze (that felt like 30 minutes). At some point there was the word “Amen.” There was clapping. There was a lot of hugging.

And then it was over. Or, maybe more accurately…and then it had just begun…

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Tags: birthday, celebration, Ministry
Categories: birthday, Ministry

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it’s alive!

Mar 4, 2010

As of this morning, the new website for That You May Know Ministries is up and running. The “feel” has remained much the same, but now we’ve integrated a new promo video, posts from my blog (like this one!), promotional materials, and a completely revamped event calendar and shopping cart into the site.

There is still more to come in the next month or two. Soon you will be able to purchase downloads of the audio CDs. (You can already download the eBook version of Falling in Love with God’s Word for only $5!) We’ll keep adding more Bible Study resources, video clips, and monthly specials.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

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Tags: keith ferrin, Ministry, tymk
Categories: Ministry, tymk, web